Is there a place for young children in the modern-day UK church? Investigating approaches to faith nurture in the early years

Journal article

Holmes, Sarah E., Olorenshaw, Emma and Casson, Ann 2024. Is there a place for young children in the modern-day UK church? Investigating approaches to faith nurture in the early years. British Journal of Religious Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2024.2373756
AuthorsHolmes, Sarah E., Olorenshaw, Emma and Casson, Ann
Abstract

This phenomenological study examines lived experiences and perceptions of Christian parents of young children to investigate their approaches to faith activity and nurture and the extent to which this includes authenticity of welcome for young children in the modern-day church. Online survey data was analysed thematically through the lens of established theories regarding the nature of faith in the early years. Findings revealed that families with young children do wish to engage with their local church and wider Christian community, but often find existing approaches unsupportive and unhelpful. Significant adjustments are therefore required to church-led ethos and approaches to faith nurture to better serve the needs of young children. Recommendations are made for more flexibility and inclusivity within the church environment, enhanced partnership with parents, and greater church focus on co-constructing faith nurturing pathways within the home and church context to align more with relationships within the child’s microsystem.

KeywordsYoung child; Faith nurture; Spiritual wellbeing; Church
Year2024
JournalBritish Journal of Religious Education
PublisherTaylor & Francis
ISSN0141-6200
1740-7931
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2024.2373756
Official URLhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01416200.2024.2373756
Publication dates
Online07 Jul 2024
Publication process dates
Deposited17 Jul 2024
Publisher's version
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File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
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https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/986q6/is-there-a-place-for-young-children-in-the-modern-day-uk-church-investigating-approaches-to-faith-nurture-in-the-early-years

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